Teaching Writing through Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) Using Computer or Laptop

By

Tri Hari Nurdi

A.    The Nature of Writing Skill

1.        The Conditions  for Effective Teaching Writing

Brown (2001:346-356) proposes some characteristics of effective writing techniques. They are incorporate practices of “good” writers, balance process and product, account for cultural/literary backgrounds, connect reading and writing, provide as much authentic writing as possible, frame your technique in terms of prewriting, drafting, and revising stages, strive to offer techniques that are as interactive as possible, sensitively apply methods of responding to and correcting your student’s writing, and clearly instruct students on the rhetorical formal conventions of writing

2.        Using Computer for Writing

Harmer ( 2001: 260 – 261) states that there are many good reason for using computer for writing. Those are stated below.

a.    A word-processing package removes the problem of poor handwriting that some students suffer from.

b.    A word-processing package allows the competent user to edit his or her material at great speed and with great faciliy.

c.    Spellcheckers can ease the task of achieving correct spelling.

d.   If students are working in group, a computer screen can sometimes be far more visible to the whole group than a piece of paper might be.

A computer screen frequently allows studentsto see their writing more objectively. It has the advantage to enhance the participtaion of individuals when they are working with their colleagues in pairs or group.

B.     Cooperative Learning

1.        The Definition of  Cooperative Learning

There are some definitions of Cooperative Learning that are proposed by some experts. According to Slavin (1995: 2), Cooperative Learning is a variety of teaching methods in which students work together in small group to help each other to learn academic content.

From the explanation above, it can be concluded that Cooperative Learning is a teaching method which the students are prepared to work together and help each other in teaching-learning process. It offers ways to organize group work to enhance learning and increase academic achievement.

2.        Cooperative Learning Principles

Coelho in Kessler (1992: 129-131) states that there are five basic principles of cooperative learning. Those are small heterogeneous groups, positive interdependence, individual accountability, purposeful talk, and group skills.

C.    Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC)

1.        Definition of Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC)

Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) is one of the types of Cooperative Learning method.  Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) combines Cooperative Learning procedures and process of writing. According to Slavin (1995: 109), Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) is one of the most effective of the cooperative learning methods in reading, writing, and language arts. It has a comprehensive program for teaching reading, writing, and language arts in the upper elementary grades.

2.        Steps of Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC)

Salvin(1995: 106 – 107) states that there are some steps of Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC). They are as stated as follow.

a.       Make groups consist of four members heterogeneously

b.      Teacher give text with of topic learning

c.       Students cooperate read to each other, find main idea, and give opinion to text. At the end, the students write the result on the paper.

d.      Make presentation or read to the result from group’s discussion

e.       Teacher and students make summary together

f.       Closing

It is clearly stated that there are five phases when applying Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) in a classroom. They are orientation (barinstorming and exploration), grouping the students, introducing the concept (elaboration/collecting and analizing the data), communicating or presenting, and confirmation and reflection.

D. Technique of Teaching Reading Comprehension through Using Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) and Technology.

The teacher teaches writing through Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) using computer or laptop. She asks the students to get the information and materials in the internet through their handphone, tablet, or laptop coneccted to internet connection. All of the materials are prepared in the laptop. The teacher gives them in the form of soft file to every group.

The teaching writing through Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) using computer or laptop is conducted in the language laboratory. There is an internet connection. So, through a laptop/ a computer or handphone, the students can get the material easily in the internet. The students also bring their own laptop.

When the teacher teaches writing through Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) using computer or laptop, the teaching and learning process are conducted in three steps. They are pre-teaching, main teaching, and post teaching. The teacher also do the following steps.

1.      Deciding the group of the students

a.       Grouping students into a group of four

b.      The way how to make grouping

The teacher divide the students into a group of four based on the students’ score, students’ behavior in the class and gender.

2.      Brainstorming

a.         Sing a song

b.        A yell provided by the teacher

3.      Deciding the materials

The teacher decides the materials based on curriculum.

4.      Managing the students’ activities in the class and in the group

a.       Deciding the leader in each group

b.      Giving ground rules in the beginning of the activities

c.       Applying scientific approach (observing, questioning, collecting the data, analyzing the data, and presenting)

d.      The  role of the teacher (motivator, facilitator, feedback provider, and manager)

e.       Every student assesses other students in one group

E. The Advantages of Teaching Writing through Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) Using Computer or laptop

Teaching writing through Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) using computer or laptop gives advantages. First, in the academic achievement, Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) using computer or laptop can increase student’s writing achievement. By editing and rewriting that done continuously as the process of writing, students can improve their writing ability. Second, in social life, through Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) using computer or laptop, the students can develop the positive interdependence face-to-face interaction, and individual accountability. They work together and help each other to complete the writing task and reach the goal. They promote each other's learning by helping, sharing, and encouraging efforts to learn. The high level student can help the weak student. Every student is stimulating to do the task. Every group member is responsible for learning the material. Students have an equal opportunity for success.  

Third, Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) using computer or laptop can improve the students’ motivation in writing. Fourth, Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) using computer or laptop offers some interactive activities that can be used for the teachers to teach writing for the students. Fourth, the teaching and learning process are more interesting. Fifth, the dominance of the teacher in the learning decreases. Sixth, Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) using computer or laptop can improve student’s comprehension in reading and writing. Seventh, Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) using computer or laptop can develop the students’ computer literacy.

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